Zesty Orange Drizzle Cake Recipe: Sweet Sunshine in Every Bite

Sweet memories often spark when baking a delightful orange drizzle cake that brings sunshine to your kitchen.

Citrus aromas will dance through every corner, promising a bright and zesty experience.

Soft, moist layers infused with tangy orange essence create a perfect afternoon treat.

Delicate crumbs absorb the vibrant citrus glaze, making each bite a refreshing delight.

Minimal ingredients and simple techniques make this dessert accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Casual gatherings or quiet moments become special with a slice of this fragrant cake.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly this recipe captures pure, sunny happiness.

Why You’ll Want Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake

• Burst with Citrusy Delight: Experience a zesty orange flavor that transforms an ordinary cake into a sunshine-packed treat that dances on your taste buds.
• Bake with Beginner's Confidence: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires simple mixing and basic ingredients, making it an approachable and stress-free baking adventure.
• Create Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions like afternoon tea, family gatherings, or casual dessert, this cake appeals to both kids and adults with its sweet and tangy profile.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Minimal preparation steps and straightforward technique ensure you can enjoy a homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, delivering maximum flavor with minimum effort.

Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake's golden brown color.
• Butter: Contributes richness and moisture to the cake.
• Milk: Ensures a soft and tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and helps the cake rise.
• Orange Zest: Provides a fresh, bright citrus flavor to the cake.

• Orange Juice, Sugar: Creates a sweet and tangy syrup for drizzling over the baked cake.

• Butter, Parchment Paper: Used for greasing and lining the loaf tin to prevent sticking.

Bake Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake Step By Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas 4. Grab your loaf tin and give it a quick spray or butter coating, then line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Blend the Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Softened butter
• Milk
• Eggs
• Freshly grated orange zest

Whisk everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix – you want the batter smooth but not beaten to death.

Step 3: Pour and Prepare

Gently transfer the cake batter into the prepared loaf tin. Smooth the top with a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tin into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the cake turns a beautiful golden color and rises nicely. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 5: Create Zesty Syrup

In a small saucepan, mix orange juice and sugar. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves into a silky syrup.

Step 6: Drench the Cake

Once the cake comes out of the oven, use a skewer or toothpick to poke several holes across the top. Slowly pour the warm orange syrup over the hot cake, letting it soak in completely.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool entirely inside the tin. This helps it set and absorb all those delicious orange flavors.

Step 8: Slice and Enjoy

Remove the cake from the tin, slice into beautiful pieces, and serve. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!

Simple Hints For Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake

• Zest Like a Pro: Use a microplane or fine grater to get maximum orange flavor without bitter white pith.
• Prevent Sinking Syndrome: Dust flour-coated orange zest with a tablespoon of flour before adding to batter to keep it evenly distributed.
• Check Cake Doneness: Insert a skewer into the center – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, your cake is perfectly baked.
• Syrup Soaking Secret: Poke holes while cake is still hot to help syrup penetrate deeply, creating a moist and intensely flavored dessert.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful treat.

Ways To Make Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake Unique

• Lemon Drizzle Delight: Replace orange zest and juice with lemon zest and juice for a tangy citrus variation.
• Gluten-Free Citrus Cake: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Orange Loaf: Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk and dairy-free margarine to create a lactose-free version.
• Almond Orange Cake: Add ground almonds to the flour mixture for a nutty texture and rich flavor profile.

Perfect Pairings With Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake

• Pair with Citrus Sorbet: Complement the orange cake's zesty flavor with a refreshing, tangy citrus sorbet that enhances the dessert's bright notes.
• Match with Earl Grey Tea: Brew a warm cup of Earl Grey tea, whose bergamot hints beautifully balance the cake's sweet and citrusy profile.
• Serve alongside Whipped Mascarpone: Top the cake with a dollop of creamy mascarpone, adding a luxurious, smooth texture that contrasts the cake's light crumb.
• Enjoy with Orange Muscat Wine: Select a sweet orange muscat wine that mirrors the cake's citrus essence and provides a delightful dessert wine experience.

Keep Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake Soft And Fresh

• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, maintaining its moisture and fresh taste.
• Store at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring the cake stays soft and delicious.
• Slice the cake, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
• Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for soft, fresh-like texture.

FAQs On Nigella Orange Drizzle Cake

• Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh orange juice?

Yes, you can use bottled orange juice, but fresh orange juice will provide a more vibrant and natural flavor to the cake.

• Is it necessary to use a specific type of flour for this recipe?

All-purpose flour works perfectly fine for this orange drizzle cake. You don’t need any special or fancy flour.

• How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done baking.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cake can be made a day in advance and stored at room temperature, covered. The flavors will actually develop and become more intense overnight.

Orange Drizzle Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean sunshine fills each slice of this orange drizzle cake, delivering citrus-kissed sweetness with delicate crumb and zesty glaze. Delightful layers promise pure comfort and refreshing flavor that will transport you straight to coastal Greece.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 175 grams (6.2 ounces) self-raising flour
• 175 grams (6.2 ounces) butter
• 175 grams (6.2 ounces) caster sugar
• 2 medium eggs

Liquid Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons milk

Glaze/Syrup Ingredients:

• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) caster sugar
• Juice of 1 large orange

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 180°C (160°C fan) and positioning a rack in the middle. Thoroughly coat a 450g loaf tin with butter and line with parchment paper.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, then add wet ingredients including orange zest. Blend using an electric mixer until ingredients are just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
3. Transfer batter smoothly into the prepared loaf tin, using a spatula to create an even surface. Gently tap the tin on the counter to release any air bubbles.
4. Place cake in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown top and ensure a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. While cake bakes, create a citrusy syrup by heating orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Stir continuously until sugar completely dissolves and mixture becomes slightly thickened.
6. Remove cake from oven and immediately pierce multiple holes across the surface using a thin skewer or toothpick. Pour warm syrup evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
7. Allow cake to cool completely inside the tin, which helps it absorb the syrup and maintain moisture. Once cooled, carefully remove from tin using parchment paper edges.
8. Slice cake into generous portions and serve at room temperature, enjoying the vibrant orange flavor and tender crumb.

Notes

• Zest Selection: Choose fresh, bright oranges with vibrant, deep orange skin for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic zesting.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake texture; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Moisture Control: Poking holes while the cake is hot allows the syrup to penetrate deeply, creating a wonderfully moist and flavorful result.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 387 kcal
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4.5 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg